Overview

“Resolution of the Commission of Knox County, Tennessee requesting Congressman Duncan and Senators Sasser and Matthews to vote against proposed legislation amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation.

“WHEREAS, it is the belief of the Knox County Commission that government should not sanction or encourage acts which violate moral and ethical standards of the majority of its citizens; and

“WHEREAS, such legislation would provide the protection of the United States government and an implied approval to an immoral and unacceptable lifestyle; and

“WHEREAS, it is the belief of the members of the Knox County Commission that homosexual or bisexual citizens currently have the same basic Constitutional rights as all other citizens and that bestowing legal status as minority citizens is morally offensive to the citizens presently protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF KNOX COUNTY AS FOLLOWS:

“This Commission encourages Representative John Duncan, Jr. and Senators James Sasser and Harlan Matthews to actively oppose legislation to include homosexuals or bisexuals in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon passage of this Resolution that the Knox County Clerk forward a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Knox County Legislative Delegation.

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution take effect as provided by the Charter of Knox County, Tennessee, the public welfare requiring it.”